Pledging to maintain fiscal responsibility amid current economic conditions, Ouachita Baptist University officials have announced a series of budget adjustments for the 2009-2010 fiscal year that impact staff at the university.
“When you look at the severe cutbacks on investments and endowments in institutions and businesses throughout the nation, Ouachita is not in a bubble,” acknowledged Ouachita President Rex M. Horne, Jr. “We have been impacted and it is something that has to be addressed in a straightforward way.
“Our trustees and constituents would expect us to do what is needed to keep the institution strong while not sacrificing in any way the experiences of our students related to a superior education and student life,” he added. “While we are in a deficit budget this year, we are working toward a balanced budget in our next fiscal year which begins June 1.”
A series of personnel cuts and adjustments are being implemented that will impact approximately 12 percent of Ouachita’s full-time administrative and support staff. The budget cuts include eliminating some staff positions, reducing work hours and pay for other staff members and declining to fill several current staff vacancies.
With the announced adjustments limited to administrative and support staff, Horne emphasized that Ouachita’s overall priorities include maintaining and funding all faculty positions to ensure students continue to gain a quality educational experience.
Other proposed budget cuts include reducing non-academic operating budgets. Those proposals, which will be presented for consideration by Ouachita’s Board of Trustees on March 12, will provide projected budget savings of more than $1 million.
“While such steps are painful and are not taken lightly, I remain completely optimistic that Ouachita will thrive in the years ahead,” Horne said. “Our commitment is to remain an academically strong, Christ-centered institution that makes a difference in the lives of our students.”
Affirming Ouachita’s focus on quality education even amid challenging financial times, Horne said, “Our current construction projects, including a state-of-the-art Student Village, are designed to benefit current students while enhancing student recruitment and retention. These projects, which do not impact our current operating budget, are part of our strategy for long-term growth and financial health as an institution.
“Even in the midst of belt-tightening, our spring enrollment is up more than 3 percent over last year’s spring enrollment. Our applications and acceptances are running 8 to 9 percent ahead of last year,” he explained. “Our students’ educational experience and student life remain as good as ever. Our goal is to continue within our mission and vision to keep Ouachita a great place to go to school.”
